Bird's Eye View

Leading Off

Another great week of Orioles Baseball capped off by another frightening Manny Machado knee injury. The guys try their best not to overreact, while FREAKING OUT over Machado’s injury. They collect themselves enough to take a trip through the Medical Wing and dive deep into the TWotT:

* @Buster_ESPN calls the Orioles the hotness.

* @CrushD19 explains his  Zach Britton ball flip.

* @89SteveSmith embraces Charm City.

* @Roarfrom34 regrets that Baltimore gets stupid during a Ravens game.

* @CamdenDepot invokes the P Word.

* @SimplyAJ10 retweets a little something.

 

Define “Good”

The guys discuss Jon Bernhardt’s article on Sports on Earth, which asks How exactly are the O’s sitting atop the AL East? More than detailing the Orioles and their run, this article serves to highlight another point: Baltimore sports fans simply cannot handle criticism of their team. Bernhardt’s piece had all the right ingredients:

* Call a couple of fan favorites “overrated.”

* On the rotation “at best, unconventional”

* In summary, the Orioles are “not that impressive a team”

* Excuse success as “weak division”

* Uses the dreaded “L Word” (luck)

The guys debate whether this this good Orioles team is really “special,” and if it can win in the post season.

The Art of Argument

Is the argument an endangered species in baseball? The advent of expanded replay has led to far more cordial conversations between managers and umpires. Both sides are committed to the “theatre” of it all. The umpires position themselves so that the managers can get the thumbs up/down from the dugout. Managers try to make small talk until the call comes in from the Replay Czar.

In Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, the Orioles got a force out at second overturned by replay, after New York determined that… the Transfer Rule is not something that can be identified correctly by anyone, anywhere. Buck went apoplectic (including requesting that he be allowed to get on the phone with the officials in NY), and was tossed.

Treasure it, Birdland, it might be the last of a dying breed.

 

Fantasy Boss

Jake actually won this week, having correctly predicted that Delmon Young would best Manny Machado on LD%. That or, like Orioles’ critics claim, he just got lucky. The score tightens to 10-6-2.

This week’s category is sacrifice flies – which player will have the most sacrifice flies? If tied, the tie breaker will be strikeouts. After that, the guys will enter the Thunderdome.

Scott takes Nelson Cruz and Jake selects Nick Markakis.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week.

Leading Off

The Orioles are winning, but just by the skin of their teeth – or their pitching. Another good week ends with the O’s still in first in the AL East. After the usual (un)pleasantries, the guys profusely thank EVERYONE involved with the first annual Birdland Bash. A good time was had by all, even if the real ballgame didn’t end with the proper result. After a quick trip through the Medical Wing, it’s time to dive into the TWotT:

*  @CrushD19 appreciates the finer things in life.

* @OBPApparel has its priorities straight.

* @WBALPete draws uncomfortable comparisons.

* @BSLJeffLong acknowledges that it’s Manny’s world, and we’re just living in it.

* @AStetka encourages us to stop and review what is important.

 

Our Ever Present Past

We don’t know about you, but we’re feeling nostalgic these days. The 2012 season is one we’ll never forget, and one we want to live over and over. So, too, it appears, do the Orioles. After having signed Joe Saunders to a minor league deal, the Orioles gave the recently released Jim Johnson a workout in Sarasota, and with the news that Brian Roberts is looking for a job you know the organization will at least kick the tires.

With that in mind the guys talk to an old friend who knows how to wax nostalgic: sister-wife Charlie Hoppes of Orioles Spastics. Charlie non-sequitors his way through a discussion of the good old days, the good new days, and the hazards of getting attached to players on a winning team. Scott should get a medal for editing down this mess. Let’s just say Jake and Charlie were not the most disciplined on this segment.

Follow Charlie on Twitter @CharlieHoppes11 and check out the Orioles Spastics archives. The podcast might be in hibernation, but the Twitter account (@OriolesSapstics) is real, and it’s spectacular.

 

Searching for the Offense

The offense has to pull out of this tailspin eventually, right? The guys discuss the fall from grace of two the most consistent hitters from the first half: Steve Pearce and Nelson Cruz. Scott tells us all about the numbers that show how terrible they’ve been. Jake tells you how it looks from the “eyeball test.” Spoiler alert: neither is a pretty picture. Since the All Star Break, the Orioles have failed to live up to their billing as a strong offensive team that covers for a weak starting rotation. Instead, up is down, left is right, and cats and dogs live together. It’s mass hysteria.

 

Fantasy Boss

The universe rights itself, and Scott takes another victory. Manny Machado had three doubles this week, as opposed to J.J. Hardy’s single… double.  The score is now 10-5-2, and Scott’s lead is back to five.

This week, the category is line drive percentage (LD%). Jake takes Delmon Young and Scott chooses Manny Machado.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad,

Leading Off

As Doc Brown said: once this baby gets to 88, you’re going to see some serious s***.” Alright, so he was talking about a Delorian he had fashioned into a time machine, but the same can be said for Bird’s Eye View. This episode is some serious s****. Just ask us – we’ll tell  you. After running through the Medical Wing and Drink of the Week, it’s time for the TWotT:

* @SBNation almost misses the point entirely.

* @Athletics litter our timeline with speculation.

* @EatMoreEsskay freaking nails it.

*  @JoePappa looks into the future.

* @Britt_Ghiroli passes along a tease from #SassyBuck.

 

Roch Kubatko

Roch Kubatko of masnsports.com joins us to discuss the Orioles strong start to the second half, as well as some items that maybe aren’t getting as much attention on your usual Baltimore sports talk. Roch discusses the trade deadline, #SassyBuck, LUNGevity, and plays the part of guinea pig, as Bird’s Eye View unveils its new feature for guests called Let’s Have a Quickie.

Warning: whereas there is no questionable language, this segment does involve questionable judgement (someone may have said something untoward about the Beatles).

We shouldn’t have to tell you, but if you’ve been living under a… rock… go check out School of Roch at masnsports.com. Also take a moment to check out LUNGevity, and consider participating in the 5K Walk in honor of Monica Barlow.

 

Second Half Arms Race

There is no denying that the Orioles’ starters have been the strength of this team over the last two months. Whether through Jake’s “eye test” or Scott’s stats, it’s clear to see that the starting five have turned it on – both with the “loss” of Ubaldo Jimenez, and the the resurgence of the rest of the the rotation.

Sure, there’s bound to be some regression moving forward, but there is every reason to believe that the rotation can settle into a staff that will perform somewhere between the inconsistent, unspectacular bunch that limped through the first half and the lockdown dominant starters we’ve been treated to in the second.

 

Fantasy Boss

This week brings a rare victory for Jake. Wei-Yin Chen’s fantastic start trumped a very good week for Chris Tillman. That being said, the new score is 9-5-2 in favor of Scott.

Jake plans to continue his improbable (and let’s face it: unlikely) comeback with doubles. Which member of the offense will hit the most doubles over the next seven days? Scott takes Manny Machado, and Jake goes with J.J. Hardy.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

 

Blowing the Save

Leading Off

Welcome to the “second half’ of the Orioles’ season. After the excitement of the 2014 BEVy Awards, the guys are happy to settle into their regular schedule. This week’s show features Mike Petriello from FanGraphs, and a look back at the weekend in Oakland.

After reviewing the Medical Wing and Drink of the Week, it’s time for the TWotT:

* @Groovatron3000 joins the segment of Birdland who rues the Pretender.

* @DaveColePhoto puts too fine a point on Chris Davis’ struggles.

* @JohnHeymanCBS makes us beg for mercy.

* @susanslusser shows us Josh Donaldson, being a decent guy.

* @DSzymborski reminds us how Uggla it might get in San Francisco.

* @MLBonFOX tells us that Scott Boras has a solution: give him more money.

* @baseball_ref helps lift the stain.

 

I Was Told There Would Be No Math

The Bird’s Eye View podcast has been known to argue about stats. Scott trusts what he can get out of a calculator, whereas Jake trusts what he can see with his eyes. OK, that’s too simplistic. The real truth is that Scott believes that baseball analytics has evolved to the point where advanced statistics can be used to explain current performance and predict future performance. Jake thinks that statistics are useful, but the pendulum has swung too far in favor of the nerds.

To help them duke it out (again), the guys chat with Mike Petriello, whose FanGraphs article The Orioles Don’t Care About Our Expectations details the improbability of the Orioles’ perch atop the AL East in 2014, and notes that the Birds might just make it to October – whether the fine folks at FanGraphs respect them or not.

Mike Petriello provides statistical insight and a dispassionate look on the Orioles, their chances, and whether or not Jake is simply too dumb for baseball.

 

Oakland Stroke

Oh, I’m sorry – did you think this was going to be easy?

The Oakland series was… disappointing. With whatever it was that the Orioles did on Sunday, blowing the save in Friday’s game loomed even larger. A pleasant surge of offense on Saturday was not enough to save what was a long weekend of Orioles Tragic.

The second half of the season was supposed to be brutal, and so far, it’s living up to the hype. The Orioles are in the midst of a 10-day west coast trip, and return home to play tough opponents at Camden Yards.

Buckle up, Birdland, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

 

Fantasy Boss

The guys declared a Fantasy Boss truce last week, as the All Star break ate up most of the week. Scott still has a commanding 9-4-2 lead, and for his stat this week, he picked RA/9 (runs allowed per nine innings).

Jake went with Wei-Yin Chen and Scott chose Chris Tillman.

 

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week?

It’s here! The 2014 BEVys awards show is upon us. The votes have been counted, tallied, and promptly ignored. Kick back and enjoy as Jake and Scott recap the season so far. Guest contributors include:

* Baltimore Sports Report

* Baltimorons

* Eutaw Street Report

* OBP Podcast

* Orioles Uncensored

* Section 336

 

After another “unfortunate” opening segment, the BEVys kick off with a review of mid-season status of the Orioles’ offense, defense, starting pitching, and bullpen. The guys provide their Good, Bad & Ugly for each area. Jake and Scott review their terrible predictions from the preseason show, and make a couple of new terrible predictions for the second half. Additionally, the following BEVys are presented:

From Baltimore Sports Report

Best Hold of 2014

From Baltimorons

Dan Duquette Reclamation Project Award

1996 Brady Anderson Memorial “Power We Hope Isn’t Too Good to Be True” Award

From Bird’s Eye View

2014 Surprise Performance Award

2014 Best Orioles Comeback Award

From Eutaw Street 

The Jim  Johnson “Why Are You You Breaking My Heart Like This, Just Let Me Love You” Award

The Alex Burnett Forgotten Man Award

From OBP

The Luis Ayala Memorial “Most Likely to Bang Your Girlfriend” Award

The Sydney Ponson “Most Likely to Get Drunk With the Fans” Award

From Orioles Uncensored

The “Bartender: Another Round!” Award

From Section 336

The Zany Orioles Quote Award

 

The BEVys, and Bird’s Eye View as a whole, would not be possible without the support of friends, family, and colleagues. We would especially like to thank the following:

* Our announcer “Jovial” Jay Shepard is a podcaster in his own right. Check out his work (Green Justice: An Arrow Podcast and Agents of Shield: Case Files) on RandomChatter.com.

* Jake’s daughter, Madison, made a brief appearance on the show, and served as a “production assistant” of sorts while some of the audio was cut up.

* Speaking of family, thanks to our wives for putting up with this podcasting project. Their support, in the face of being baseball widows, is much appreciated.

* Thanks to all of our contributors – the 2014 BEVy Awards submissions we received were excellent.

* Thanks to Friends of the Program:

* Songs from the Moon, for providing the theme song for the Bird’s Eye View podcast

* OBP Apparel, for the wonderful logo, and continued collaboration

* BaseballTalkRadio, who brings great perspective on baseball outside of Birdland

* Our “sister-wife” podcasts on the Baltimore Sports Report Network. If you listen to Bird’s Eye View, you should absolutely make time each week to listen in to these other fantastic shows.

Leading Off

The All Star Break is upon us, and the Orioles find themselves 4 games up in the AL East. With a grueling schedule after the break, O’s fans can take a breather and enjoy Adam Jones and Nelson Cruz represent the ball club in the All Star Game proceedings.

Speaking of the All Star Break, don’t forget that our midseason awards show, the BEVys, will be released on July 17, 2014! Be sure to check out the show, and look for contributions from some great podcasters and bloggers from all around Birdland.

 

Also, be sure to join us on August 4th for the first Birdland Bash. It is an event we’re holding in conjunction with our friends at Baltimore Sports Report and OBP Apparel. The event will consist of a softball game at 1:00, with the option to buy tickets to that night’s 7:05 Orioles game. $20 gets you a custom shirt designed by OBP, and a spot in the softball game. The game is intended for adults of all ages and skill sets – all will be able to mock Jake incessantly. Reserve a spot here:

 

After a quick run through the Medical Wing, it’s time for TWotT:

* @BBTN asks “Who will win the Home Run Derby?“

* @ShuebBaafe2 doesn’t understand veteran preference.

* @enosarris notes that the world of baseball is upside down.

* @SimplyAJ10 weighs in on #TheBrianRobertsWatch (he’s right, too).

* @SalTeamSix notes that Orioles fans need to settle down.

 

Getting Better All the Time

The old adage is that a team is never as bad as it appears when things are going poorly, and never as good as when things are going well. Right now, things are goign well for the Orioles. Things are NOT this good. They’re in the middle of a hot streak, but fans should expect them to come back down to earth a bit during the rocky stretch after the All Star Break.

Still, things are pretty good, and it’s getting better all the time.

As Roch Kubatko of MASNsorts.com pointed out, the first half of the 2014 season has been anything but smooth sailing for the first place Baltimore Orioles. Who would have thought that a first place team could overcome so many obstacles? The roster has seen more than its fare share of changes due to injury and ineffectiveness.

 

Fantasy Boss

Things are back to normal. Scott killed it this week in OBP. His pick (Steve Pearce) has a .400 mark, whereas Jake’s pick (Adam Jones) managed only a .167. That brings the season totals to 9-4-2.

This week, we take a break from Fantasy Boss, as most of the week is lost to All Star Break Festivities.

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week?

Leading Off

Another great week for the Orioles leads into the 4-game home/away series with the Washington Nationals. After the Drink of the Week, the guys remind you about the

The 2014 BEVy Awards will be released July 17, 2014! The BEVys are a mid-season award show presented by Bird’s Eye View, with a little help from some of our friends in the Bird-O-Sphere. Be sure to check the site for new categories to vote on, and tune in to the special episode to see who goes home with the nonexistent hardware.

Then it’s time for TWotT:

* @RaysJoeMadden got the number on the wall.

* @BBTN gives Jake an excuse to talk up A League of Their Own.

* @jasoncollette says the magic words.

* @JP79ERT suggests something better than a gift basket.

* @BrittGhiroli bids Ramon Ramirez a fond “adieu, adieu.”

* @danconnellysun reports the end of ReimTime.

* @RaysBaseball enters the Spin Zone.

 

Battle of the Walgreens

Jake is joined by former roommate and confirmed Nats fan Josh Finver (@NatDiscourse) to discuss the Orioles/Nationals… thing. Is it a rivalry? Perhaps not. But you know what? It’s still fun, if you do it right. Baltimore and Washington have a long history of denying one another of sports teams, and if that can’t build a friendly competition, what can?

The O’s and Nats are good, and the games are meaningful. Regardless of what label we put on the Battle of the Beltway, the four game series should make for entertaining baseball.

 

Sexiest Potpourri

It’s that time again: We all need more moaning Alex Trebek in our life. Here’s hat the mustache himself had to say:

* All Star Voting

* Team Steve

* The case for/against TJ McFarland

* John Lackey’s sour grapes

 

Fantasy Boss

DID JAKE WIN?!?! Miracles do happen, folks. Nick Markakis out BABIP’d Delmon Young, and the score continues to favor Scott, at 8-4-2. This week, the category is OBP. Scott goes with Steve Pearce and Jake selects “Mr. Walk” Adam Jones.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

 

Blowing the Save

Most podcasts try to end on a high note – the perfect ...

Leading Off

Episode 84 of Bird’s Eye View comes after the Orioles lost a 4-game series to the worst team in baseball. As such, the guys discuss curses. After the usual pleasantries of the Drink of the Week and the Medical Wing, it’s on to the TWotT:

* @CespedesBBQ points out that this might be a cruel, cruel summer.

* @JoePapa is hoping for some late-inning silliness.

* @EatMoreEsskay reports on the (prescient?)  Drunk Gary Thorne.

* @rwags614 – gone, but not forgotten.

* @Orioles notes that MLB adds Five for Fighting to their Manny Machado playlist.

* @WBALPete says what we’re all thinking.

 

Curses, Orioled Again!

OK. The Sunday thing was amusing at one point, but that point has passed. The Orioles (who have a losing record at home) are a whopping 1-6 at home on Sundays. Why do the Orioles lose on Sundays?!  This has to be because Scott Magness is there in person. Then again, the team may have something to do with this mess. While they break down the “not so lovely totals,” the guys look for ways they can break the curse.

Rosterbation

The Orioles roster is a little bit in flux here in 2014. Since last season 24 of the 52 men to wear the Orioles’ uniform have moved on. Per usual, Dan Duquette is working with limited resources and making the most of the 40 man roster. And, per usual, we have a few complaints. First, WHAT IS THE STORY WITH KEVIN GAUSMAN?!

Fantasy Boss

OK, the first tie was cute, but Jake picked a category which made a tie likely. With the record at 8-3-2, The category selection goes back to Scott. After making his displeasure over the whole HBP situation known, Scott goes back to an old favorite: BABIP. Jake goes with, Nick Markakis and Scott selects Delmon Young.

Who will own it?

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

Blowing the Save

Most podcasts try to end on a high note – the perfect coda to a quality program. That’s just not our style. Each week, we’ll end on a weak note, blowing the save with an item that didn’t quite fit into the episode, or something they simply need to get off their chests. It’s our version of taking the ball and pulling a Kevin Gregg.

Notes and Nags

Are you listening to this show on iTunes Stitcher? Are you subscribed? You totally should be! And while you’re there, be sure to leave a review of the program. Love it? Hate it? Confused? Let us and other listeners know. As always, we appreciate the support.

Leading Off

The Orioles are coming off a great series in New York that had ever chance of being terrible. In response, the Bird’s Eye View guys put together a podcast that is terrible, though it had every chance of being great. After running through the usual pleasantries, the guys forego the Medical Wing to visit an old friend. Then it’s time for the Drink of the Week. The show intro concludes, per usual, with the TWotT:

* @SimplyAJ10 invites a teammate to the club

* @truckermicoc proves our point

* @masnRoch gets Buck’s view of J.J. Hardy’s HR “celebration”

* @RichDubroffCSN makes us smug about Yaknees’ fan loyalty

 

A Look Back, with David Lennon

The BEV guys thoroughly enjoyed the Yankees series, mostly because they refuse to admit that the 9th inning of Friday night’s game happened. To make sense of it all, they bite their tongues while chatting with David Lennon of Newsday, whose article on the O’s/Yanks game piqued their interest. David discusses the O’s/Yanks series, Joe Girardi’s “malicious” comments, and the AL East race.

Be sure to check out David’s writing on the Yankees, Mets, and all things baseball at Newsday, and on Twitter @DPLennon.

 

In the Kitchen (Bork Bork Bork!)

Manny Machado apparently has his own line of salsa. The guys got to thinking about what other food lines might be released by other Orioles players. The results were… interesting to say the least. An Orioles menu might not work, without a solid Drink of the Week. Or ten.

 

Fantasy Boss

What is more American than a tie? Just like the USMNT, the Bird’s Eye View guys kiss their sister in this week’s Fantasy Boss. The category was D, which is some weird 1850s stat about infield ground outs. Manny Machado and J.J. Hardy both ended up with three (3) infield ground outs. The record goes to 8-3-1 in favor of Scott. Scott graciously offered to let Jake pick the category this week, and to punish him for his last stat, Jake picked HBP (which batter would get plunked most often?).

Scott went with Chris Davis, and Jake took Jonathan Schoop.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

 

Blowing the Save

Most podcasts try to end on a high note – the perfect coda to a quality program. That’s just not our style. Each week, we’ll end on a weak note, blowing the save with an item that didn’t quite fit into the episode, or something they simply need to get off their chests. It’s our version of taking the ball and pulling a Kevin Gregg.

 

Notes and Nags

Are you listening to this show on iTunes Stitcher? Are you subscribed? You totally should be! And while you’re there, be sure to leave a review of the program. Love it? Hate it? Confused? Let us and other listeners know. As always, we appreciate the support.

Leading Off

Another week of Orioles baseball is in the book, and this one was a little up and down. The starting rotation is churning out quality starts, and the offense is ominously quiet. After the Drink of the Week and Medical Wing, it’s a look at the TWotT:

* Twitter remembers Tony Gwynn

* It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s BAT FLIP

* Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it

* #Signability

* Ken Rosenthal honors Monica Barlow

* National Media Love (Parts I and II)

* Tough day for knuckleballers

* Patriotic drinking

* Other Twitter things

 

Bo (Gentile) Knows Baseball

The one constant through all the years.. has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time.

Baseball is unique in the way its fans insist on the significance of its history, and in passing that history on to the next generation. With Father’s Day in mind, the guys speak to Bo Gentile – son of Oriole great Jim Gentile – on how he has worked to use bsaeball to connect his father and his own son. His experience may be a bit different from our own (how many of us have an MLB legend in the family?), but the celebration of family tradition and history is something that is familiar to all of us.

 

Treading Water

The Orioles are holding steady, just above .500, and within reach of the first place Toronto Blue Jays. Fans can look at this past week’s four-game series as a grave missed opportunity, or as the cap to a rough stretch of ballgames that positions them well to get well on an easier stretch starting with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The guys (mostly) agree that treading water is OK for now. After the Birds’ next 17 games, they’ll reconsider. If the Orioles are still treading water after that, there may be trouble.

 

Fantasy Boss

Scott makes the lead 8-3. This is getting old. Wei-Yin Chen out-pitched Kevin Gausman (according to xFIP), and Jake proves that he can’t count. This week, Scott shows pity, and goes with a more old-fashioned stat. OK, a REALLY old fashioned stat. This week, the guys are going to be watching D.

Yeah, that’s apparently a statistic tracked in the 1850s. Scott insists this is a real thing. Jake insists he’s making it up. D (supposedly) tracks infield groundouts that a hitter produces. Not a percentage, a count.

Jake took Manny Machado and Scott selected J.J. Hardy.

Who will own it?

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Who had a great week? Who had a tough week? Who made us ashamed to be Orioles fans? Find out in this week’s GB&U. The guys run through their Good, Bad, and Ugly for the week. Be sure to drop us a line and send us yours.

 

Blowing the Save

Most podcasts try to end on a high note – the perfect coda to a quality program. That’s just not our style. Each week, we’ll end on a weak note, blowing the save with an item that didn’t quite fit into the episode, or something they simply need to get off their chests. It’s our version of taking the ball and pulling a Kevin Gregg.

 

Notes and Nags

Are you listening to this show on iTunes Stitcher? Are you subscribed? You totally should be! And while you’re there,